Ø We BSNL retirees want a regular and transparent system , a safe and sustainable system for our Pension Revision in future along with all other Central service pensioners of India. Every time the old pensioners should not be forced to knock and wait before Prime Minister’s door for pension revision.

Ø BSNL has to revise the wages. BSNL has no authority to revise PENSION. Government has to take a decision regarding Pension Revision. Government need not worry about affordability.

Ø We demand Pension Revision , independant of wage revision in BSNL. Pension should be revised delinking it from the Profits/Loss of BSNL. It should be done based on Central Pay Commission Recommendations. We have submitted a memorandum to Shri.Manoj Sinha , the minister of state for Communications.

Ø Absorbed employees rendered most part of their service in DOT under Govt.Of India.

Ø Rule 37-A was incorporated in CCS (Pension) rules 1972 on 30-09-2000 ( one day prior to formation of BSNL) exclusively for BSNL retirees.

Ø As per explanation under sub-rule 8 of Rule 37-A “ The amount of Pension/Family Pension of the absorbed employee on retirement or on death from PSU shall be calculated in the same way as calculated in the case of a Central Govt. Servant retiring or dying on the same way.

Ø DOP&PW in its letter to DOT dt 27/3/2009 stated “ BSNL is the only PSU that has been granted a special dispensation under sub rule 21 of Rule 37-A to the effect that pensioner benefits including FP to the absorbed employees of BSNL is paid by the Govt.”

Ø The recommendations of 6^th CPC like emoluments for pension, enhanced family pension, age-related additional pension application of new commutation table, ceiling of gratuity etc were  made applicable to absorbed BSNL retirees w.e.f.01-01-2006. As per 7^th CPC recommendation ,ceiling on gratuity was also raised to 20 lakhs to BSNL IDA pensioners from 01-01-2016.

Ø The lower and upper ceiling on Pension/Family Pension is on par with C.G. Pensioner ( Pension Revision order dtd 15-03-2011 states that) The ceiling is not based on BSNL pay scales.

Ø All the three PRCs did not have “Pension Revision” in their terms of reference where as CPCs have.

Ø The CPC recommendations are implemented not only to CG pensioners but also to 69 CPSC retirees who are covered under CCS (Pension Rules) 1972 having CDA pattern.

Ø The orders issued by DoP&PW for implementation of CPC recommendations including the order dtd 04-08-2016 specifically states that it is applicable to Pensioners/FP covered under CCS(Pension) Rules 1972 and BSNL retirees are also coming under the category.

Ø As per Apex Court order dated 03-05-1990, DPE issued guidelines that CPSEs started after 01-01-1989 shall have only IDA pattern and not CDA pattern. So DA pattern cannot be a reason to deny this benefit to BSNL retirees.

Ø On behalf of our Association, we sublitted a memorandum to VII CPC. Our Assistant General Secretary Shri.Gangadhara Rao gave oral evidence before the commission at Bangaluru on 24-07-2014. Justice Hon.A.K.Mathur, Chairman, VII CPC after going through our memorandum and after hearing the oral evidence, made a remark that there is a “Prima –facie” in our demand.

Ø During our discussion with shri.R.K.Garg, the then Secretary, Telecom on    04-08-2015, he assured that even if there is no specific recommendation from 7^th CPC, on this demand, DOT shall take up this issue with nodal departments and ultimately Government may take a Policy Decision.

Ø We also had the opportunity to discuss this issue with chairman implementation cell of 7^th CPC, Shri. R.K.Chaturvedi ( Jt.Secy. Dept of Expenditure) during the last week of February 2016. He also informed us that if a proposal with due justification, is sent by DOT, it can be considered positively.

Ø Now DOT has to take necessary initiative in this regard. If our demand is conceded now itself, it would be a permanent solution and a policy decision by the Government is required in this regard.

Excerpts from Pensioners’ Patrika.